Thu Jan 20th 2011
- 00.00, Thu Mar 31st 2011
A new way to teach children about the challenges that they will face in life.
Life Education comes to Essex
Rotarian Peter Norburne is the driving force behind a major scheme for clubs in District 1240 which covers Essex and part of Hertfordshire. He addressed the Rotary Club of Billericay’s lunch on January 17, 2012 about the part being played to bring the project “Life Education” to Essex schools. 
Coram Life Education is a national charity which works with local operating groups (mainly charitable trusts) in communities throughout much of the UK. The Life Education Trusts employ Educators trained by the national charity to work in schools and with pupils and parents. Over 40 local groups are now operating in the UK.
The national charity is funded through membership fees from the local groups, support from grant making trusts, corporate sponsorship and other voluntary contributions. It receives no direct funding from statutory bodies or government departments.
The Essex project is funded by a corporate sponsor and supported by Clubs in Rotary International District 1240 who are promoting the project with a loaned classroom. A mobile classroom will be available for use in Essex and Herts after the trial. For a small cost per pupil Rotary Clubs are working with Coram Life Education to provide a mobile classroom for a week at a time at schools in the two counties.
For each class there is a session that is appropriate to the pupils’ age and needs, delivered by the trust’s own specially trained Educators using a life skills approach so that each year children increase their knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed choices.
Topics include: how the body works, healthy diet and exercise, safe use of medicines, the risks of tobacco, alcohol and non-prescription drugs and emotional well-being including bullying. Emphasis is placed on teaching in a fun and interactive manner using music, sound and light effects as well as interactive technology,
District 1240 has secured the use of a Life Education Unit for an initial period of six months. Several schools have already agreed to take part and Rotarian and others interested will visit to mobile classroom and talk to the staff. The project is backed by Professor Robert Winston. At a council meeting, the Rotary Club of Billericay agreed to recommend supporting the project by approaching two schools in the area to consider partaking.
